'A clash of football DNA' - Senegal coach on blockbuster U20 Afcon showdown against Flying Eagles

Senegal U20 head coach Serigne Saliou Dia has set his sights on rewriting history as his team prepares for a high-stakes quarterfinal showdown against Nigeria at the ongoing AFCON U20 tournament on Monday.

The match not only promises a place in the semifinal but also serves as a qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, adding extra pressure to the already intense rivalry between the two West African football powerhouses.

Senegal and Nigeria last met in a memorable AFCON U20 final in 2015 in Dakar, where Nigeria edged out the hosts with a narrow 1-0 victory to lift the trophy. Now, Dia is hoping his young squad can turn the tables.

"This is a clash of football DNA," Dia told CAF. "Two teams built on intensity, pride, and direct play. But this time, we want to write our own version of the story."

Senegal's journey to the knockout stage has been anything but smooth. After a challenging start to the tournament, the team bounced back with a crucial win over DR Congo to book their spot in the last eight. 

Dia praised the resilience and transformation of his players.

"This group was born in adversity," he said. "We needed to go through that storm to measure our strength. We questioned ourselves, we regrouped, and we came back stronger."

Recalling the turning point, Dia added, "I saw the change in their eyes during the warm-up against DR Congo. There was no more doubt — only determination."

With a place in the U20 World Cup and continental glory on the line, Flying Eagles manager Aliyu Zubairu will hope history repeats itself to ensure Nigeria achieve her objective.

Adeyemi Adewale

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com